Song of the Surf (Pacific Shores Book 3) by Lynnette Bonner Page A

will be fine.” She tossed a tight little smile in Jalen’s direction without actually meeting his gaze, then focused on a spot on the tablecloth in front of her.
    Marie leaned forward to see Riley better. “As long as you’re sure, Riley?”
    Riley nodded. “Yes. I’m sure.”
    Dakota didn’t say anything more, but there was a distinct sheen of moisture in her eyes that she quickly blinked away.
    Justus eased back in his chair and folded his arms, swallowing hard. He hated seeing her hurt and yet loved her heart to help Riley all at the same time.
    Dakota Trask was definitely a woman worth risking his heart for.
    Decision made.
    She might tell him to take his sentiment and go back home, but sometime today he would quit being a coward and just tell her he wanted to get to know her better.
    Jalen rose a couple notches in Dakota’s estimation when he held his silence and actually looked like he was happy they were making sure Riley was comfortable riding with him, instead of insulted that they might not trust him. She offered him a smile to let him know they weren’t suspicious about him.
    He gave her a nod of understanding and a subtle thumbs-up.
    Marie glanced at a list lying in front of her. “Okay, good. So Justus and Dakota, if you don’t mind, could you swing by Connie’s Floral and pick up the swags and all the flowers? Reece and I are supposed to meet Pastor Mark for a few minutes this morning, and we also need to run by the bakery, because she wanted us to give the final okay on the cake before she delivers it tomorrow. Then we can all meet at the church at eleven thirty?”
    Everyone agreed to their respective tasks, and Reece dismissed them all with, “Ready? And BREAK!”

Chapter 5
    Riley pulled her car keys from her purse and subtly glanced at the guy who’d been saddled with babysitting her. Again.
    A familiar roil of anger surged through her as she once again pondered how much she hated where she was in life right now. Nate had stolen so much from her. But not only from her. Also from those who were now putting themselves out to help her. From innocent guys like this one – what was his name again? – who suffered her insecurities without question and seemed fine with it. Why hadn’t he gotten angry when they’d asked her that back there? Nate would have been beside himself if anyone had dared question whether she would be fine if she left with him – and strangely, no one had questioned her when she was with him, when in reality she’d have welcomed a lot of questioning. No one, that is, until Marie. Marie had questioned. Marie had made her question. And it was one of those questions that had raised Nate’s anger to the point that he’d—
    Pain shot across her palm and she realized she was squeezing the keys much too tightly. She eased her grip. Glanced again at the guy over the top of her car. How long had they been standing here with her staring into nothing?
    He was waiting quietly, studying her with those seemingly all-seeing brown eyes of his. But not saying a word while she’d been spaced out for who knew how long.
    Her brow slumped. “I’m sorry.” She glanced down at the keys and then back to him. “Would you mind—” Her brain seemed incapable of creating full sentences.
    But he’d apparently understood her because he appeared quietly at her side and reached out one hand, palm up, without touching her. “I’d be happy to drive.”
    She looked up into his eyes. And for some reason, the fear she’d expected to bloom instead wilted and slipped away. “I’m sorry about that back there.” She gestured toward the house they’d just left. “My friends…they’re just trying to take care of me. It’s not about you.”
    His features softened. “I know. You’re lucky to have friends like that who care about you so much.”
    She swallowed. Nodded. “Not everyone cares for others like that.” Why had she said that? It revealed more than she was ready to. She gave her